No team in the
country was more disappointing than Notre Dame during the 2008-2009 campaign.
Many tabbed the Irish as a top ten team heading into the season, but the tough
Big East got the best of them and they ended up in the NIT. Superstar Luke
Harangody opted to return for his senior season, which gives the Irish hope, but
there are a lot of key players that need to be replaced.

Fortunately for Coach Mike Brey a couple of experienced transfers will help out
immediately. Scott Martin averaged 8.5 points and 3.8 rebounds for Purdue as a
freshman and the 6-8 guard will give the Irish some much needed size. Ben
Hansbrough, a transfer from Mississippi State, does not have the size, but he
has the toughness to hit the glass effectively and is even a capable scorer and
ball handler. Notre Dame has had better groups of incoming freshmen, but Joey
Brooks is a decent wing who will battle for minutes and big men Mike Broghammer,
Jack Cooley and Thomas Knight will have to contribute on a team that lacks depth
in the paint.

Backcourt:

Harangody is not
the only returning starter. Tory Jackson dished out 4.9 assists per game and
developed into a solid scorer as well. He is not a great outside shooter, but
Jackson will use his quickness to get to the basket and finish or find one of
his teammates. With the addition of Martin and Hansbrough, Jackson will not need
to improve his outside shooting since those two will attempt to pick up where
the now departed Kyle McAlarney and Ryan Ayers left off as far as outside
shooting is concerned. Jonathan Peoples only averaged 14.1 minutes per game as
the backup point guard, but he could see his role increase this year, especially
in situations when Notre Dame needs another ball handler on the floor.

Frontcourt:

Zach Hillesland
and Luke Zeller ate up space in the paint for Harangody last year and now both
of them are gone. Tyrone Nash, much like Martin, is a tall wing and Carleton
Scott barely played last year and those are the only two returning options to
start up front beside Harangody. Nash is the likely option to start unless one
of the newcomers can take his place. Nash is a versatile 6-8, 228 pound wing and
fits well in the system, but it will be different without a big guy next to
Harangody. Scott is a lanky 6-7 forward who is best suited to attack off the
wing and there will be times when Harangody is all alone under the basket.

Who to Watch:

However, Harangody
has proven that it really does not matter what the opposition tries to do…they
just cannot stop him. Last year the 6-8, 255 pound Schereville, Indiana product
averaged an incredible 23.3 points and 11.8 rebounds per game. Even if he is
surrounded by wings, albeit 6-8 wings, Harangody will create offense on his own.
Notre Dame does not need a true low post scorer and Harangody is not even a
traditional low post scorer. Like Coach Brey prefers, Harangody can step outside
and hit the long ball and battle in the paint.

Final Projection:

On paper it sounds like the Irish might have trouble on the glass. However,
Martin and Nash are both 6-8 and Hansbrough is a surprisingly good rebounder for
a 6-3 guard. Just like last year, this team will play big on the wings and be
able to do damage on the offensive end in a variety of ways. And just like last
year, the difference between the NCAA and the NIT will be consistency.

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About Joel Welser

ColumnistCollege Preview Editor

Contactjwelser@collegehoops.net

Background

"Joel Welser does a tremendous job covering college basketball. He gives his readers knowledgeable and insightful information on college hoops." -Ernie Zeigler, Head Basketball Coach, Central Michigan University "Joel Welser writes clean, knowledgeable copy that always hits deadline." -Greg Eno, former editor-in-chief, Motor City Sports Magazine Growing up in Michigan, Joel Welser inherited a love for Big Ten sports. After defying all family traditions and not going to Michigan State, Joel headed out west to earn his bachelor degree from California State University, Northridge in Cinema Television Arts, specializing in screenwriting. For reasons still unknown, after his stint in Hollywood, Joel headed back to Michigan where he remains to this day complaining about the cold. Joel has found a successful formula with the popular top 144 series at collegehoops.net and has also written college football and college basketball previews and articles for various websites and magazines.